How to Microwave a Sweet Potato

Sweet Potatoes are soft and slightly chewy on the inside, with tender skin, when cooked in the microwave. In just 10 minutes, you can have a perfectly cooked sweet potato without any work at all. This is probably one of the easiest dishes to make. I like to have it as a healthy snack or side dish or served with different toppings to make it a whole meal.

All you need to make this delicious side dish is a few ingredients including butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. That’s all there is to it! I have tried many methods for making sweet potatoes, but I think this is the easiest way and it is certainly my favorite.

It took a few tries to get the timing down right but with this recipe, you can have a perfectly baked sweet potato ready to slather on some butter in just a few minutes. There are just a few steps in making them so it is a simple recipe that anyone can do. 

After washing and drying, I poke a few holes and then cook it in the microwave. The size of the potato makes a difference in how long it takes to cook it but for a medium-sized potato, I found that five minutes on high is just perfect.

Pair it with meat and vegetables for a complete meal. Since this dish is highly versatile, pile it with all sorts of topping, from the simplest dour cream and cheddar combo to sloppy joes’ fillings!

Have this among your roster of excellent side dishes along with Crack Corn Salad, Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples, and Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots!

What you need to make sweet potatoes

As long as you have sweet potatoes and butter, you can make microwaved sweet potatoes. The sugar, salt, and pepper are staples in everyone’s kitchen. And instantly a delicious snack or side dish is ready!

The Basics

• One medium sweet potato – A medium sweet potato is about a third of a pound, five inches long, and two inches around.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter will both work just fine for this recipe. But, if you use salted butter, you can use less salt for seasoning.

Seasonings, Herbs, and Spices:

• Brown sugar – Sweet potatoes taste incredible with brown sugar. It adds a rich and deep sweet flavor.
• Cinnamon – This warm spice adds another layer of sweetness with a tiny hint of citrus and floral notes.
• Salt – Just add to taste.
• Freshly ground black pepper – Fresh pepper is always better than store-bought but you can use either 

How to microwave sweet potatoes?

• Clean your potato: First, wash the sweet potato thoroughly, rubbing away any dirt that may be stuck to the skin. Then, pat it dry and poke it three or four times with a fork.
• Cook: Next, put the potato on a microwave-safe plate and cook it for five minutes in the microwave. If it is not fork-tender, cook it for another minute. Then, cook for 30 more seconds if it is still not soft.
• Slice and season: Now, slice the sweet potato in half lengthwise and season it with salt and pepper before adding a bit of brown sugar and butter.
• Serve: Last, sprinkle ground cinnamon on top and serve hot.

Expert tip

Finding the exact right cooking time for sweet potatoes can be tricky if you are not sure how much it weighs. But I found a simple way to tell you how long.

As long as the sweet potato is about five inches long and two inches in diameter, five minutes should be the perfect time. If it is not tender enough after five minutes, go ahead and continue to heat it one minute at a time until it is fork-tender.

A small potato may only need to cook for three minutes and a large potato may need to be microwaved for up to 10 minutes. Just continue to heat it until a fork slides easily into your potato.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Add meat: Turn your sweet potato into a meal by topping it with some kind of meat like chopped ham, turkey, or pork. Ground beef would also be delicious.
• Spicy sweet potato: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your potato for a hint of spiciness.
• Oil the skin: For more tender skin, rub olive oil or butter on the outside of your sweet potato before cooking it.
• Sweeter spud: Those with a sweet tooth would enjoy a dollop of marshmallow fluff on top.

Serving suggestions:

I love this easy recipe for microwaved sweet potatoes because it is fast, simple, and delicious but healthy too.

• Top your sweet potato with salsa, ground beef, and taco seasoning for a taco sweet potato.
• If you love cheese, add some mozzarella or Swiss cheese on top right after you slice it and let it melt.
• Experiment with your favorite toppings like honey, maple syrup, or some homemade applesauce.
• Add a scoop of instant pot chili on top of your sweet potato to have a chili potato.
• This delicious side dish is perfect with any meal including homemade meatloaf, burgers, steaks, baked chicken, or ribs.
• Sprinkle some ranch seasoning on your sweet potato for extra tangy flavor.

Favorite Toppings:

Some of my favorite toppings are:

• Shredded parmesan cheese
• BBQ pork or chicken
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Chili
• Taco fillings
• Beans
• Peanut butter
• Maple syrup
• Crumbled bacon or candied bacon
• Sour cream
• Olive oil with some garlic powder and smoked paprika. 
• Cinnamon powder and brown sugar

Frequently asked questions

Why is my sweet potato hard?

If your sweet potato turns out too hard, it is probably undercooked. To make sure your potato is cooked right, check it after five minutes by poking it with a fork. If it is not easy to poke, put it back in for a minute and then continue cooking in 30-second increments until it is soft enough.

Is it possible to overcook your sweet potato?

No matter what you are cooking and how you are cooking it, there is always the possibility of overcooking it. To make sure this doesn’t happen with your microwaved sweet potato, cook it for the minimum time called for in the recipe. If it is soft enough, take it out right away. If not, try another minute. If you still do not think it is soft enough, reheat it for 30 seconds at a time until it is perfect.

Should I peel my sweet potato?

No. Simply wash it well under cold water to get rid of any dirt. First of all, the skin is not only delicious, but it also has a lot of vitamins and nutrients in it. Also, the skin protects your sweet potato while it is cooking. It would scorch or turn to mush if you peel it before cooking it. If you do not like the skin, just eat the inside of the potato and leave the skin.

Is it safe to microwave a sweet potato?

Yes! Do not be worried about the effect of the microwave on food. Since it cooks faster, loss of nutrients may be avoided.

In general, heating food causes a loss of vitamins and nutrients. However, microwaving the sweet potatoes could potentially be more beneficial than boiling them. Since it does not require water that may induce leaching of the nutrients.

Do you have to pierce it before microwaving?

Simply prick the spuds before you cook them so that they will not explode. By piercing through the skin, the steam that will form during cooking will escape through the holes. This steam circulation will ensure uniform cooking.

How can you tell if sweet potato is cooked?

Pierce it with a knife and if it slides in easily, then, the spud is done! You can also give it a gentle squeeze to see if it is soft enough. Also, the inside should be completely tender. If there is some resistance, then cook it in 1-minute increments until completely soft and tender. 

How to store:

• Refrigerate: Refrigerate your cooked leftovers wrapped in foil or plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to four days. 
• Freezing: Freezing your cooked sweet potato is easy too. Just let it cook to room temperature and then wrap it in foil or plastic and place it in a freezer bag. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to six months.
• Defrost: Thaw your frozen sweet potato in the fridge overnight for the best flavor and texture. 
• Reheating: Wrap your sweet potato in a microwave-safe dish and heat for one minute, Or you could bake it for 20 to 30 minutes in the oven. 

More sweet potato recipes:

Cooking Tips:

• The cooking time may vary depending on your microwave. I tested this recipe with a 1,000-watt microwave but if yours has less wattage, you may need to cook it longer. 
• Instead of using a fork to test your potato for doneness, use an oven mitt and squeeze it to see how soft it is.
• Wrapping your sweet potato in a damp paper towel will make the skin soft and silky.
• Another way to cook it is inside a microwave-safe container. It will be extra moist and creamy.
• Always remember to pierce your sweet potato before microwaving to prevent it from exploding.